Chicago Bears Training Camp Profile: James Anderson

By M. Quann Boyd

Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports

With two key members of the Chicago Bears‘ linebacking core no longer on the team, the organization added several new linebackers to the roster through the draft and free agency. One of the player is eight-year pro James Anderson.

Anderson, picked third by the Carolina Panthers in 2006, produced 454 tackles and eight sacks in 94 career games. He is a solid tackler with great on-the-field awareness. Anderson’s departure from the club that took a chance on him was due to salary cap restrictions. So, the Panthers’ loss is the Bears’ gain.

Now as a member of the Bears’ linebacking corps, Anderson will be asked to step into the void left by retired All-Pro Brian Urlacher and free agent departee Nick Roach.

Entering training camp, Anderson will be asked to step into the middle linebacker position as well as the strong side linebacker. Aside from what Anderson will be asked to produce on the field, the Virginia Tech product will also be tasked, along with Lance Briggs, to help bring along the next crop of Bears linebackers — Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene — in a similar manner to how he aided in the development of 2012 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Kuechly.

Anderson is coming into a situation with the Bears where he needs to be just as productive as he was for the Panthers both on the field and in the locker room.

M. Quann Boyd is a writer for RantSports.com Follow him on Twitter @MQuannBoyd. “Like” him on Facebookor add him to your network on Google+.